def convertXLS2CSV(aFile): 
    '''converts a MS Excel file to csv w/ the same name in the same directory'''
 
     print "------ beginning to convert XLS to CSV ------"

     try:
          import win32com.client, os
          excel = win32com.client.Dispatch('Excel.Application')
 
         fileDir, fileName = os.path.split(aFile)
         nameOnly = os.path.splitext(fileName)
         newName = nameOnly[0] + ".csv"
         outCSV = os.path.join(fileDir, newName)
         workbook = excel.Workbooks.Open(aFile)
         workbook.SaveAs(outCSV, FileFormat=24) # 24 represents xlCSVMSDOS
         workbook.Close(False)
         excel.Quit()
         del excel
  
         print "...Converted " + nameOnly + " to CSV"
    except:
         print ">>>>>>> FAILED to convert " + aFile + " to CSV!"

convertXLS2CSV("/local/python/my.xls")
